National Payroll and HR Manager

Network Finance; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Finance is seeking an experienced National HR & Payroll Manager to lead HR administration and payroll across a national operation in South Africa. The role focuses on accurate payroll processing, strong service delivery, and developing HR teams across regions and Distribution Centres.

You will drive governance, compliance and people leadership in a hands-on capacity. The ideal candidate has solid SA labour law knowledge, payroll governance expertise, and a proven track record in

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' relevant HR and payroll management experience within a multi-site environment.
• Experience leading and developing HR and payroll teams.
• Strong payroll administration, compliance and governance knowledge.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations and data analysis.
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation and HR best practice.
• Degree in HR, Payroll, Finance or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop HR and payroll employees nationally.
• Own end-to-end payroll processes monthly and bi-weekly.
• Ensure payroll controls, approvals, and audit trails are maintained.
• Review payroll inputs from regional teams and Distribution Centres.
• Monitor overtime, attendance, and compliance with policies.
• Oversee onboarding, transfers, contracts and terminations.
• Prepare payroll and HR reports and drive process improvements.

Skills

Payroll processing

People management

Excel

HR governance

Time & attendance systems

SA labour law

Education

Degree in HR, Payroll, Finance or related field

Tools

Payroll systems

ESS platforms

Time-and-attendance systems

Job description

My client is seeking an experienced National HR & Payroll Manager to lead and manage the HR administration and payroll function across a national operation. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and compliant payroll processing, effective HR service delivery, strong operational controls, and the leadership and development of HR teams across multiple regions and Distribution Centres.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader with strong payroll expertise, excellent people management skills, and a solid understanding of South African labour legislation and payroll governance.

National HR & Payroll Leadership

• Lead, manage and develop HR and payroll employees nationally.
• Set clear priorities, service standards, responsibilities and delivery expectations across all regions and Distribution Centres.
• Provide coaching, guidance and ongoing capability development through training, cross-skilling and structured work instructions.
• Drive accountability, performance management, succession planning and business continuity across the HR function.
• Act as the escalation point for complex HR and payroll matters.

Payroll Management & Governance

• Own and coordinate the end-to-end payroll process, ensuring accurate and timely monthly and bi-weekly payroll execution.
• Consolidate, review and validate payroll inputs received from regional teams and Distribution Centres.
• Review payroll outputs, reconciliations, exceptions and variances prior to final processing.
• Ensure payroll controls, approvals, supporting documentation and audit trails are maintained.
• Resolve payroll queries and corrections while identifying and addressing root causes.
• Maintain payroll calendars, governance frameworks and processing schedules.

Distribution Centre Payroll Oversight

• Review and validate all monthly and weekly Distribution Centre payroll submissions.
• Verify time and attendance records, overtime claims, allowances, deductions and employee changes.
• Investigate payroll exceptions, unusual movements and compliance concerns.Ensure timely processing of terminations, transfers and employee status changes.
• Prepare payroll review summaries and exception reports for management.

Overtime Controls & Compliance

• Review and approve HR overtime submissions in line with delegated authority requirements.
• Validate overtime claims against approved rosters, attendance records and company policies.
• Monitor overtime trends and investigate recurring, excessive or unsupported claims.
• Maintain overtime registers and provide management reporting.

HR Administration & Employee Lifecycle Management

• Oversee onboarding, transfers, contract amendments and terminations.
• Support employees with benefit, pension, provident fund and medical aid queries.
• Coordinate induction programmes, probation reviews and training administration.
• Maintain employee records, leave administration and HR documentation.
• Ensure all HR processes align with company policies and legislative requirements.

Recruitment & Talent Support

• Coordinate and manage recruitment activities across the business.
• Source candidates through appropriate channels.
• Conduct screening interviews and facilitate recruitment processes with hiring managers.
• Coordinate reference checks, qualification verification and onboarding activities.
• Support graduate, internship and learnership initiatives.

Reporting, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Produce HR and payroll reports covering headcount, absenteeism, overtime, leave and payroll metrics.
• Monitor compliance with labour legislation, internal policies and governance requirements.
• Lead audit preparation and provide supporting payroll and HR documentation.
• Maintain payroll SOPs, control frameworks and process documentation.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency.

Job Experience and Skills Required

• Degree in Human Resources, Payroll, Finance or a related field.
• 3-5 years' relevant HR and payroll management experience within a multi-site environment.
• Previous experience leading and developing HR and payroll teams.
• Proven experience managing monthly and bi-weekly payroll cycles.
• Strong payroll administration, compliance and governance knowledge.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, reconciliations and data analysis.
• Experience working with payroll systems, ESS platforms and time-and-attendance systems.
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation and HR best practice.